If sources close to General (retd) Pervez Musharraf are to be believed, the former president is likely to fly out of the country as part of a ‘secret deal’.

The move would be a repeat of events in 2001 when incumbent Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family were sent to Saudi Arabia under a deal. Almost 13 years on, Musharraf would be trading places with Nawaz. The sole difference between then and now is that Musharraf would be allowed safe passage on health grounds, sources privy to the development said.

Just like the 2001 agreement, the 2014 deal is being brokered by international players, the sources told The Express Tribune.

Legal experts, however, say the former military ruler cannot leave the country without the court’s permission.

Unless the Supreme Court reviews its decree on federal guarantees over former president Pervez Musharraf’s presence in the country, the government cannot lift travel curbs against him, according to some experts.

“The interior ministry cannot remove Musharraf’s name from the ECL, even if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif passes an executive order instructing it to do so,” said senior advocate Ali Zafar.

He pointed out, though, that anyone whose name was put on the ECL ‘illegally’ had the legal right to challenge the move in court. “Musharraf can only leave Pakistan when the apex court orders the interior ministry to remove his name from ECL.”

Former interior secretary Tasneem Noorani supported Zafar’s opinion. “I do not think it is possible for the interior ministry to remove his name from the list unless the court reviews its order,” he said.

On the other hand, Ibrahim Satti, who pleaded Musharraf’s case, claimed that it was the government which put his client’s name on the ECL. “No court order exists in this regard,” he told The Express Tribune.

‘Under doctors’ advice’

Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, one of the lawyers defending Musharraf before the special court, indicated that they might request the court to allow the former president to leave the country for medical treatment.

“If the doctors advise taking him [Musharraf] for treatment abroad … a submission will be made before the court to allow him to leave the country,” Saif said. A source close to Musharraf disclosed that he had been preparing to leave the country to take care of his ill mother just days before a three-member special court was constituted to try him for treason charges.

“General Sahib did not expect the government to proceed against with the treason [indictment],” the source said, adding that Musharraf had been confident about leaving the country after securing bail in the other cases he was facing. But after the special court summoned him for trial under Article 6 of the Constitution for imposing emergency rule in 2007, he began approaching his friends ‘both inside and outside the country’, to deal with the issue, the source said.

The source said the former army chief Gen (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani strongly opposed Musharraf’s trial. He added that Kayani’s successor has also privately conveyed his concerns to the government over the ‘singling out’ of his former boss in connection with the case.

“There is concern within the rank and file of the army that Musharraf is being politically victimised,” a recently retired senior army officer said on condition of anonymity. He also revealed that Musharraf had been meeting serving army officials over the past few days to discuss the treason case.

The military’s media wing was unavailable for comment when approached. Government officials insisted that Musharraf was not in the government’s custody and it was up to the court to decide his fate. Officials also strongly denied that any country, including Saudi Arabia, Britain or the United States, approached the government for Musharraf’s ‘safe passage.’

However, sources close to Musharraf claimed that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal, who is arriving in Islamabad on Monday, will discuss the treason case with the government.

Saudi rulers, who were close to Nawaz as well as Musharraf, have been involved in high-profile political deals in the past.

However, the foreign office officials claimed that his visit was planned much ahead of the developments related to Musharraf’s trial.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2014.

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Do you believe former president Pervez Musharraf will leave the country?

Wishful thinking on the part of his supporters.Deal at this stage without trial would be the loss of democracy and it would further strengthen the belief that generals are above law.I don’t think he will be released without seeking pardon if not proper trial.Government can offer heart experts from abroad if locals are not considered fit for job which they are.

Let him go. we don’t want another shaheed on our hands because then this emotional nation would vote him (or his party) into power and believe me, he does not deserve that. Be prudent and let anonymity of tomorrow swallow him… at least for another 4 years till next election. BTW, has anyone noticed that in this drama the rucous of PTI has drowned somewhere. Was this Musharaf trial drama surposely staged by Ch.Nisar???

“Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal, who is arriving in Islamabad on Monday, will discuss the treason case with the government”.Saudis has damaged Pakistan to the extent that we are reaping the benefit of their brand of Islam. they should stop interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs and keep out, we know how they deal with the US, subservience comes to mind and in turn they think that Pakistan is subservient to them. This government must not allow any one to dictate and that includes Saudis and Americans but Nawaz and company are looking after their investments there and not the interests of the country. If the law and the constitution is not upheld now, there are others waiting in the wings to topple another democratically elected government in connivance with foreign powers, Generals Zia, Ayub and Musharraf could not have staged a military coupe with out the blessing of US and their lackeys like Saudis.

Musharaf simply took special drug to temporarily create this kind of heart condition to make yet another excuse after his failure with the bomb planting drama near his mention by his men. Generals cannot be above the law. It is simple as that.

@Zif:
Ahsaan faramosh won’t remember him but those who have served with Musharraf, those who benefited (and there were millions and millions of Pakistanis who did) will always remember him as someone who took Pakistan to heights that no democratic government of Pakistan has been able to take the country to.

In his time, us Pakistanis carried ourselves with pride. There was a promise and a desire to push Pakistan upwards. It was because of Musharraf that we felt that way. He defined Pakistaniat for us with “Pakistan first!”. He represented us on international forums like no one else and more than anything else, unlike the vultures and hyenas that rule over us today, he accepted his mistakes and made amends. That is what set him apart from the rest of trash that we have “leading” Pakistan today.

Musharraf was the only statesman Pakistan has been blessed with in the past 20 years. None of the current crop come even close.

May God judge him on what he was able to deliver to the people of Pakistan and may God bless Musharraf for what he tried to do for Pakistan!

The only problem is that Mushy cannot fake any heart attacks in the highest court in this universe which will be heard on the day of judgement infront of all of our creator, Allah Subhanhu Wataala. What excuse will he give there for selling out so many Pakistanis?

The treason trial of Musharraf in effect would open a Pandora’s box that Pakistan can do without at this stage. He came to the country, we all know what he has gone through during the past months, his reactions amply show what he is about, he ought to be allowed out of the country at this stage. Pakistan has very grave problems that need the government’s and judiciary’s full attention such as mass arrests of extremists and their trials to give some closure to the 50,000 plus families; the economy; energy shortage; more… Time should not be wasted on lesser issues…

This is clearly a tit-for-tat game between Nawaz Sharif and Musharraf. Now that he has the power, Mian Sb is trying to settle the score, but he can’t take on the Army which is clearly not in favor of any treason trial & humiliation of its ex-chief. Advice to Mian Sb – leave the General alone and focus on addressing the security and energy crisis crippling the nation. You are much likely to get re-elected if you do something good for the common man then to waste time in settling old scores.

I am amazed as why Army or even some part of its ranks consider Musharraf to be a heroe and are wiling to rescue him. This guy hurt Army the most getting thousands of Soldiers Martyred in the so called War on Terrorism.This guy has blood on his hand for the hundreds of brave men in kargil and many more in waziristan and Wana.I believe Army should rather push forward the cases against him as he damaged this esteemed institution more then any other person or institution

@assad:
Agreed. But the way he came to power is not right and for that he is being tried, not for doing wonders with the economy. For the very reason I’m asking to let him go and not hanged. No one , no matter how wonderful or having a midas touch, should be allowed to violate the law. Wrong is wrong even if you look at it upside down.

One can easily confirm your state of mind by putting you in the skinner’s box! With regard to Mr Parwez Musharf state of mind, he needs urgently psychiatric treatment. Pakistan military hospital has a qualified staff to ware that Pakistan does not have mny :
confirm his illness and such a confirmation will allow his travel to the UK for treatment.

This will be very unfortunate for Pakistan. If he is not punished by the court and current government, Pakistan will never be able to prevent military its main ally the radical clergy from hijacking democracy. His punishment is important for saving Pakistan’s future. Murderers and traitors need to be put behind the bars. This is the only opportunity these timid politicians had in 65 years political history of Pakistan and they are loosing it. Alas!

Look people, please face up to something I learned through pain and suffering many years ago.

Pakistan is a country for the rich and corrupt.
Pakistan is a safe haven for all crooks and terrorists.
Pakistan is a home away from home for fundamentalists.
Pakistan army is the only army that never wins a war yet wants absolute authority.
Pakistani politicians are the most corrupt and incompetent people on the planet.
If you think you will get justice, peace and change in Pakistan, you are mistaken.

I advise you to do what I did after I lost my brothers in a cold blooded sectarian murder years ago in Pakistan, which is too pack up my bags, sell whatever assets I had, and move out of Pakistan to start a new life in a new country and practice my faith in peace without being targeted by sick minded people who think they are better than everyone else. No law will help you, no one cares about you except your own family and friends, and no court or leader is sincere with you or the country. Try your luck elsewhere, not only will you become a better Muslim out of Pakistan, but you will also never want to go back to Pakistan ever again.

The grass is greener in the neighbours garde. You were not fully integrated in Pakistan, therefore your frustration with what we call he gee society of cousins. As soon as you are fully integrated in the adopted country, you will see the Genie there as well.

“He added that Kayani’s successor has also privately conveyed his concerns to the government over the ‘singling out’ of his former boss in connection with the case.”
That is correct. It is unfair to single out Musharraf for this treatment. In fact, the treason trial should be initiated against the whole lot, past and present, for their involvement in any coups, either directly or through indirect support. Especially the remaining three in the infamous gang-of-four comprisng Muhammad Aziz, Mahmoud and the 111 brigade commander who ordered his brigade into Islamabad should be hauled in as well. There after, it should be the likes of Beg, Hamid Gul and Assad Durrani who were instrumental in misusing their office to subvert the constitution. Just Musharraf’s trial is just not right.

He may go abroad but not as an absconder . Musarraf may get permission from the court on health ground since his name in ECL is not by a court order . NRO JUDGES WILL UNDERSTAND THEIR LIMITATIONS TOO !!